Gaza – Ma’an – The Ministry of Health in Gaza said it has run out of 141 types of medicines and 116 types of medical supplies due to Israeli restrictions on goods brought into Gaza, a monthly report released Wednesday said.

The Israeli ban on certain medical items “puts patients’ lives at risk,” a statement on the report said.

The ministry appealed to human rights groups and the International Committee of the Red Cross to pressure Israel to open its crossings with Gaza.

Israel bans hundreds of foods, medical items, and consumer goods from Gaza as a part of a blockade that began in 2007. In December, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), only 36 types of food and consumer items were allowed into the Strip.